About Chris

Chris and his family.

My name is Christopher (Chris) Graveline, and I am running for Michigan Attorney General as an Independent in the upcoming November elections. I am a mid-Michigan native (born and raised in Bay County), married father of five children, former U.S. Army officer, Wayne County assistant prosecutor, and Assistant United States Attorney. I began my campaign on June 4 — a late start since I had to leave my job as the Chief of the Violent and Organized Crime Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Detroit in order to run.

Michigan routinely finds itself near the top of several notorious lists when it comes to violent crime rates, opioid abuse, and identity theft. There is no doubt, we face difficult issues and are in need of serious leadership. The good news is there are solutions to these problems if we are willing to put aside our differences and work together. That is why I quit my job and am running for Attorney General.

How do I know there are solutions? I have strategized, implemented, and witnessed positive changes firsthand when law enforcement works in partnership with community leaders to ensure a safe and secure place for all of its citizens.

For the past five years, I have worked closely with former U.S. Attorney Barb McQuade, the Detroit Police, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, and the leaders of federal law enforcement to implement the Detroit One anti-violent crime and the Ceasefire anti-gang initiatives. Those initiatives have emphasized partnership, collaboration, and having federal and state prosecutors working directly in police precincts to safeguard our neighborhoods. In particular, the U.S. Attorney’s office emphasized gang prosecutions focusing on removing violent offenders from the neighborhoods, but in a way that avoided mass-incarceration. Under my leadership of the Violent and Organized Crime Unit, we have been one of the most aggressive federal offices in the country bringing over a dozen racketeering prosecutions.

The results have been significant. In 2012, Detroit saw 386 homicides and 1,263 non-fatal shootings. Since then, we have seen a consistent downward trend in violent crime numbers. Last year, Detroit saw 267 homicides, the lowest number since 1967, and 842 non-fatal shootings. While these numbers remain high, they demonstrate that partnership and collaboration are highly effective.

Chris served in Kuwait and Iraq.

I am running for the position of Attorney General because I believe these same strategies can be applied statewide to address the violent crime and opioid issues many of our communities face. As Attorney General, I would prioritize bringing the collaborative spirit we have fostered in Detroit to the entire state. I am running as an Independent because I believe that laws should be applied in an even-handed and fair manner with partisan politics playing no part in decision-making. I am running because leadership matters in this position and I want to bring a non-partisan ethos to the highest law enforcement office in state government. But, most importantly, I am running to ensure safe communities for all the citizens in Michigan where everyone is equally represented under the law.

Please check back regularly, as this website—and our entire campaign—is a work in progress. We appreciate any help you are willing to offer, and I look forward to meeting you on the campaign trail.

A Proven Leader

Chris has been decorated with many honors as a former U.S. Army officer, Wayne County assistant prosecutor, and Assistant United States Attorney. (Click each image to enlarge)

Chris’ Outstanding Service Awards as Assistant U.S. Attorney

Chris is honored for his service in the U.S. Army

Chris is honored for his accomplishments as an Assistant U.S. Attorney